Jesse "Chris" Christian Eberspecher

Chris Eberspecher Dies Of Gun Shot Believed Accident

Chris Eberspecher, 48, rancher 12 miles northeast of Harrison, died from a rifle shot, believed accidentally inflicted, Sunday night about 10:45.

County Attorney W. E. Mumby said Wednesday that a coroner's jury has been sworn in and that testimony will be given Friday. Mr. Mumby said that from his own investigation he did not see how the accident could have been other than accidental.

A son, Gerald, had gotten home about three hours before on furlough from the Army. Mr. Eberspecher had gone to bed, then apparently got up to get a drink. It is believed he heard some noise and went to the back door with the .270 rifle. It is presumed he slipped as he stepped out onto the back step. The rifle slug struck him in the thigh and traveled upward through the body. He died soon afterward.

Mrs. Eberspecher and five of the eight children were at home.

Funeral services are being held at the Harrison Methodist Church at 2:00 this Thursday afternoon.

01/03/1952
Eberspecher Death Ruled Accidental By Coroner Jury

After only 15 minutes deliberation a coroners jury sitting at Harrison Friday afternoon returned a verdict that the death of Chris Eberspecher was accidental.

He was killed almost instantly at his ranch northeast of Harrison the night of Dec. 24. (Note: The previous article and the Social Security Index both state the death date as December 23, 1951.) He went to the door with a gun, apparently after heating some noise, and it is believed slipped and fell discharging the gun into his left thigh. The bullet traveled upward and emerged from the center of the chest.

Making up the coroner's jury were Ernest Pullen, A. H. Axen, George Wickersham, E.E. Whitaker, Ted Davis and John Broderick. County Attorney and Coroner W. E. Mumbv directed the Investigation.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon from the Methodist Church with the Rev. Carl Harbour officiating and burial was in the Harrison cemetery.

Jess Christian Eberspecher was born Oct. 3, 1903 in Sioux County, Nebr., the son of John and Frances Eberspecher.

He received his education at Bodarc School. Feb. 4, 1928 he was married to Kathryn Doyle at Crawford. They have lived on the ranch north of Harrison since.

Surviving besides his wife are eight children: Mrs. Patricia Holmgren, Mrs. Betty Hanson, both of Harrison; Pfc. Gerald Eberspecher of the U. S. Air Force, Chicago; Kathleen, Wilma, John, Evelyn and Edward, all of Harrison. There is one grandchild, Charles Holmgren.

Also surviving are five sisters: Mrs. Millie Zimmerman, Miss Hilda Eberspecher, Mrs. Bertha Parsons, Mrs. Fern Bourret, all of Harrison, and Mrs. Alma Henry of Chadron; five brothers, Frank and John E. of Harrison: Ted of Lance Creek; Henry of Douglas; and Tom of Glenrock. Two brothers previously died.

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